OPP OFFICER GOING ICE COLD FOR DUFFERIN CAUSES

DET.-SGT. STEVE COBURN TAKING PART IN ICE MILE SWIM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FOOD PROGRAMS

Talk about a cold case. An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer is planning to take part in a frigid water challenge next month — all to raise desperately needed funds to support Dufferin's food programs.

Det.-Sgt. Steve Coburn, with the OPP's forensic interview

team, will be taking on the Ice Mile, a one-mile swim in water no warmer than five degrees Celsius without the benefit of a wet suit.

The detective, who resides in Dufferin, is not doing it for bragging rights, but as part of his longstanding efforts to support established food programs in the county. In 2014, Coburn founded the Compass Run for Food, an annual run that has raised and donated more than $390,000 to local food banks and school nutrition programs.

This year, he has challenged himself to raise $10,000 in support of the run.

As part of that effort, he's set to take on the International Ice Swimming Association-governed Ice Mile, considered one of the toughest swims on the planet.

The swim will take place in early April 2023, weather and water temperature dependent.

To support Coburn's efforts, people can make pledge by visiting his fundraising page at bit.ly/3yGhnN3.